An approximate answer is that at present there are 104 operating reactors, and they produce 19% of the total electricity generation. On that basis, 100% would require 547 reactors. Newer ones would be on the whole of larger capacity so the real answer would be around 500.
Leo Szilard invented nuclear reactors in 1933 and patented the idea in 1934 (GB630726) however for many reasons nothing could be done with the idea until after World War 2.EBR-1 in the United States was one of the first experimental nuclear power plants. On December 21, 1951 it produced enough power to light the whole building.The worlds first nuclear power plant became operational on June 27, 1954 Obninsk Russia just outside Moscow.
Disadvantages of Nuclear Power:· Nuclear Power generates radiation, which can be harmful or even fatal to infected people.· A nuclear meltdown can occur which will release massive amounts of radiation into the community.· Extremely radioactive nuclear waste is produced by nuclear power plants. This stuff can't be just thrown out. The US plans to move all its nuclear was to an underground dump by the year 2010. Currently it is stored in the plants.· Nuclear waste dumps can spontaneously combust without warning.· Nuclear reactors only last for about forty to fifty years, so where they are extremely productive, they break down and are costly to replace.· There are international dangers too. Some reactors produce plutonium which can be used to make nuclear weapons. If the whole world were to use these, they would have unlimited access to nuclear weapons.
Neither the Republic of Ireland nor the island of Ireland as a whole has any nuclear power.
One of the Japanese nuclear Power plant was unstable so a chemical mixed in it and boom! The whole thing blew up!!
Yes, nuclear power is abundant as it is derived from uranium, which is a relatively plentiful resource. Additionally, nuclear power plants can generate a large amount of energy from a small amount of fuel compared to other energy sources.
Nuclear power is cleaner. · The problem of radioactive waste is still an unsolved one. The waste from nuclear energy is extremely dangerous and it has to be carefully looked after for several thousand years (10'000 years according to United States Environmental Protection Agency standards).· High risks: Despite a generally high security standard, accidents can still happen. It is technically impossible to build a plant with 100% security. A small probability of failure will always last. The consequences of an accident would be absolutely devastating both for human being as for the nature (see here , here or here ). The more nuclear power plants (and nuclear waste storage shelters) are built, the higher is the probability of a disastrous failure somewhere in the world.· Nuclear power plants as well as nuclear waste could be preferred targets for terrorist attacks. No atomic energy plant in the world could withstand an attack similar to 9/11 in Yew York. Such a terrorist act would have catastrophic effects for the whole world.· During the operation of nuclear power plants, radioactive waste is produced, which in turn can be used for the production of nuclear weapons. In addition, the same know-how used to design nuclear power plants can to a certain extent be used to build nuclear weapons (nuclear proliferation).· The energy source for nuclear energy is Uranium. Uranium is a scarce resource, its supply is estimated to last only for the next 30 to 60 years depending on the actual demand.· The time frame needed for formalities, planning and building of a new nuclear power generation plant is in the range of 20 to 30 years in the western democracies. In other words: It is an illusion to build new nuclear power plants in a short time.Sustainability: Is nuclear energy sustainable?For several reasons, nuclear power is neither «green» nor sustainable:· Both the nuclear waste as well as retired nuclear plants are a life-threatening legacy for hundreds of future generations. It flagrantly contradicts with the thoughts of sustainability if future generations have to deal with dangerous waste generated from preceding generations. See also here . · Uranium, the source of energy for nuclear power, is available on earth only in limited quantities. Uranium is being «consumed» (i.e. converted) during the operation of the nuclear power plant so it won't be available any more for future generations. This again contradicts the principle of sustainability.Nuclear Power Plant Accidents and Terrorism· According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, regulated safety procedures are not being followed to ensure that nuclear power plants are safe. Even if all safety precautions are followed, it is no guarantee that a nuclear power plant accident will not occur. If a nuclear power plant accident occurs, the environment and surrounding people could be exposed to high levels of radiation. Terrorism threats are another concern that needs to be addressed. A satisfactory plan to protect nuclear power plants from terrorism is not in place.
Afghanistan has not argued that it wants nuclear weapons.
Most nuclear plants operate their whole lives entirely safely, but as we have seen in Japan recently, things can go wrong occasionally and its best not to have too many people living near the plant. Transmission lines from the plant at say 20 miles can easily bring the power to the city instaed.
No, nuclear power stations do not produce carbon dioxide (CO2) during the electricity generation process. Nuclear power generates electricity by splitting atoms in a process called nuclear fission, which does not involve the combustion of fossil fuels that produce CO2 emissions.
The theory is that since nuclear power plants do not release CO2 , methane, or CFCs while generating power they will not add to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere like fossil fuel consuming power plants. There are some greenhouse gas releases related to nuclear power plants however. The mining and refining of the fuels will inevitably require the burning of fossil fuels to transport the ore and refined fuels. The cooling towers associated with the power plant will also release water vapor into the air - and water vapor accounts for something around 85% of the greenhouse effect on earth when you include the clouds. On the whole, however, even with these related greenhouse gas releases, nuclear power would add much less greenhouse gas to the atmosphere than a coal, oil, or natural gas fueled power plant with the same electrical power output.
First, the Sun is pretty big, and there is a LOT of hydrogen. Second, nuclear fusion generates a WHOLE lot of energy.
one whole as a percent = 100%